How good is UCLA punter Jeff Locke? He was the first punter taken in the NFL draft and only the 22nd punter drafted in the last 10 years. Locke was picked in the fifth round, the 115th selection overall this week, by the Minnesota Vikings. Only eight punters have been drafted higher since 2003. Locke's versatility adds to his appeal. He is effective at kickoffs and can handle field goals if needed. He is also one of the most intelligent players to pass through the UCLA program.

UCLA Coach Jim Mora has stressed "don't listen to the noise" as the way for the Bruins to stay focused. A sign with that phrase hangs in the locker room. But what do you do when it's Mora making the noise? It has been clear to anyone with eyes that Fabien Moreau has developed into a strong cornerback. The only pass play to beat him during practice Saturday was a low, short throw that receiver Devin Lucien needed to dive to catch. Mora needed little nudging to launch into a campaign speech the second he was asked about Moreau.

Jeff Locke , best known as UCLA's punter, improved his NFL stock with his two field goals against Texas last Saturday. Locke, subbing for the injured Kip Smith , made kicks of 49 and 51 yards. He is already considered one of the top punters in the nation and handles kickoff chores for the Bruins. "Obviously, he showed he is diverse," Coach Rick Neuheisel said, which should resonate with NFL scouts. "As you're trying to secure roster spots, he would be very valuable, especially on a 45-man roster," Neuheisel added.

Left-hander Jeff Locke was optioned by the Pittsburgh Pirates to double-A Altoona (Pa.) on Wednesday. Locke (9-5) has one victory in eight starts and a 6.18 earned-run average since the All-Star break. Opponents are batting .340 against him during the span. The Pirates also optioned rookie catcher Tony Sanchez to Altoona. The moves were made to make room on the 25-man roster for outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck, acquired Tuesday in a trade with the New York Mets. Pirates' Jason Grilli is close to returning Pirates All-Star closer Jason Grilli pitched a simulated game and is nearing a return from a strained right forearm.

UCLA opens the 2013 season against Nevada at the Rose Bowl. There will be two noticeable holes in the Bruins' roster - running back Johnathan Franklin and punter Jeff Locke. UCLA has 18 seniors who must be replaced. Franklin and Locke present the biggest challenges. "You can't replace a Johnathan Franklin and Jeff Locke, both their production and the influence they have on the players around them," Coach Jim Mora said. TIMELINE: College football 2012-13 bowl schedule Franklin gathers UCLA running backs at the gate at Spaulding Field before practice.

With so many established pitchers floundering this season, staff writer Tim Hubbard shows there are plenty of non-household names that can help bolster any fantasy owner's rotation. Mike Leake SP | Cincinnati It wasn't until the Reds scrapped plans to move Aroldis Chapman into the rotation in late March that Leake slipped out of camp as the team's fifth starter. It has proven to be a great decision. Leake has been Cincinnati's best starter the last two months, going 6-2 with a 1.86 ERA since May 1. Jeff Locke SP | Pittsburgh Locke was solid, if unspectacular, in seven minor league seasons and after a call up to the Pirates last year, but the left-hander has broken out in 2013, going 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA. He's allowed only four earned runs in his last seven starts.

UCLA's national signing day started with two players Wednesday morning, one who will make an immediate impact and another who could figure prominently. Sean Covington, a punter from St. Petersburg High School, and Caleb Benenoch, an offensive lineman from Katy (Tex.) Seven Lakes, have signed their letters of intent. Covington is expected to lessen the blow of losing Jeff Locke, arguably the top punter in UCLA history. Covington is ranked third at his position by Scout.com and 12th by Rivals.com.

UCLA defensive back Marcus Rios will miss at least six months, and possibly the entire 2013 season, because of a fungus infection in his sinus area. Rios, a freshman last season, has undergone six surgeries to remove the infection since last October. He will undergo another surgery in the next two weeks. “It started as a sinus infection last October,” Rios said. “Then they found the fungus infection behind my eye and beneath my brain.” Rios said that “it's very rare.

Sean Covington, UCLA's freshman punter, has a lot to learn. “I don't get 'butterflies,'” Covington said. Well, they're flying insects. But that's not important right now. What Covington claims immunity to are those cold-sweat, night-terror nerves that can accompany a first college game. When he lines up to punt against Nevada in the Rose Bowl on Aug. 31, it will be just another football moment, he says. "I guess I have a stiff stomach,” Covington said. He has more going for him than that.

UCLA ends practice the same way every day: Ka'imi Fairbairn stares at the goal posts from 52 yards away and to the left. Fairbairn stood at that distance and angle in December, watching his field goal attempt hook wide. He then watched Stanford celebrate a 27-24 victory in the Pac-12 championship game. “Coach puts me in that position every practice to help me get over it,” Fairbairn said. There is a need for Fairbairn to learn such things and grow - not so much as a kicker, but as a leader.

Sean Covington, UCLA's freshman punter, has a lot to learn. “I don't get 'butterflies,'” Covington said. Well, they're flying insects. But that's not important right now. What Covington claims immunity to are those cold-sweat, night-terror nerves that can accompany a first college game. When he lines up to punt against Nevada in the Rose Bowl on Aug. 31, it will be just another football moment, he says. "I guess I have a stiff stomach,” Covington said. He has more going for him than that.

With so many established pitchers floundering this season, staff writer Tim Hubbard shows there are plenty of non-household names that can help bolster any fantasy owner's rotation. Mike Leake SP | Cincinnati It wasn't until the Reds scrapped plans to move Aroldis Chapman into the rotation in late March that Leake slipped out of camp as the team's fifth starter. It has proven to be a great decision. Leake has been Cincinnati's best starter the last two months, going 6-2 with a 1.86 ERA since May 1. Jeff Locke SP | Pittsburgh Locke was solid, if unspectacular, in seven minor league seasons and after a call up to the Pirates last year, but the left-hander has broken out in 2013, going 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA. He's allowed only four earned runs in his last seven starts.

PITTSBURGH - The Dodgers' most consistent hitter this season, Adrian Gonzalez is in a minor slump. He was hitless in four at-bats in his team's 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night at PNC Park, making him six for 34 with two runs batted in over his last nine games. Gonzalez, who leads the Dodgers with 44 runs batted in, is now batting .307. The last time his average was that low was when the season was four games old. BOX SCORE: Pittsburgh 3, Dodgers 0 "Timing's not exactly where it is," Gonzalez said.

How good is UCLA punter Jeff Locke? He was the first punter taken in the NFL draft and only the 22nd punter drafted in the last 10 years. Locke was picked in the fifth round, the 115th selection overall this week, by the Minnesota Vikings. Only eight punters have been drafted higher since 2003. Locke's versatility adds to his appeal. He is effective at kickoffs and can handle field goals if needed. He is also one of the most intelligent players to pass through the UCLA program.

UCLA defensive back Marcus Rios will miss at least six months, and possibly the entire 2013 season, because of a fungus infection in his sinus area. Rios, a freshman last season, has undergone six surgeries to remove the infection since last October. He will undergo another surgery in the next two weeks. “It started as a sinus infection last October,” Rios said. “Then they found the fungus infection behind my eye and beneath my brain.” Rios said that “it's very rare.

UCLA ends practice the same way every day: Ka'imi Fairbairn stares at the goal posts from 52 yards away and to the left. Fairbairn stood at that distance and angle in December, watching his field goal attempt hook wide. He then watched Stanford celebrate a 27-24 victory in the Pac-12 championship game. “Coach puts me in that position every practice to help me get over it,” Fairbairn said. There is a need for Fairbairn to learn such things and grow - not so much as a kicker, but as a leader.

James Washington's Shelter 37 Foundation will hold a free football clinic for youths from fifth to eighth grades on Saturday at Los Angeles Southwest College. The camp, in its seventh year, is open to 500. They will work with 60 coaches, players and former players. Washington, a former UCLA and NFL defensive back, formed the not-for-profit Shelter 37 in 1993. "I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles and I never had the opportunity to go to these camps," said Washington, who attended Los Angeles Jordan High.

UCLA has been a difficult opponent to get a handle on. Houston's football coaches have tape from their 31-13 loss to the Bruins last season, and UCLA returns many of the same players. But the changes to the Bruins' coaching staff meant a lot of time watching tapes. "They have a lot of the same players, but they have four new coaches — primarily two new guys on offense, including Mike Johnson , who I have a lot respect for," Houston Coach Kevin Sumlin said. "We have watched a lot of different videos of a lot of different teams in the last month.

Adrian Gonzalez hit a team-high .379 against left-handers in his partial season with the Dodgers last year. And he's doing even better in the early going this year after collecting two hits and three runs batted in against Pittsburgh's Jeff Locke on Sunday to raise his average against left-handed pitchers to .455. Gonzalez, a left-handed hitter, credits his approach for his success. "They allow me to simplify things," said Gonzalez, who is hitting .328 against left-handers over the last four seasons, more than 20 points higher than his average against right-handers.

UCLA's national signing day started with two players Wednesday morning, one who will make an immediate impact and another who could figure prominently. Sean Covington, a punter from St. Petersburg High School, and Caleb Benenoch, an offensive lineman from Katy (Tex.) Seven Lakes, have signed their letters of intent. Covington is expected to lessen the blow of losing Jeff Locke, arguably the top punter in UCLA history. Covington is ranked third at his position by Scout.com and 12th by Rivals.com.